Dinagat Islands’ growth roadmap sealed in time capsules at SOPA
By Renelle L. Escuadro
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands (PIA) — Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr., together with Dinagatnon children during his 5th State of the Province Address (SOPA), featured the ceremonial keeping of three time capsules containing the province’s long-term development directions and aspirations envisioned for the next five, 10, and 20 years.
The time capsules were buried at the Provincial Capitol compound in Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose on the Oct. 2 ceremony.
Demerey also announced that he will issue an executive order designating the children who took part in the said activity to unearth the buried capsules after 20 years.
Meanwhile, during SOPA, the governor showcased the province’s gains and triumphs, achieved through a sustained collaboration and convergence of the provincial and local government units, national government agencies, and stakeholders.
“Kaya man diay basta mag tinabangay” (It is possible if we work together), Gov. Demerey said as he gave emphasis to the value of unity, cooperation, and collective action in addressing development challenges and advancing the welfare of the people of Dinagat Islands.
“Possible man d i nga ang Dinagat Islands mahimong no.1 dili lang as fastest growing economy sa Caraga region ug sa Mindanao. Ug dili pod diay imposible nga pati sa tourism, sa per capita expenditures ug uban pa, ang Dinagat Islands mag-una. Talagsa ra ang kahigayonan nga mahimo kitang no. 1, ug magpadayon lang kini kung kitang tanan magkahiusa ug magtinabangay alang sa kalambuan sa Dinagat Islands,” he told the audience during the SOPA.
(It is possible that Dinagat Islands would become No. 1 among the fastest-growing economies in the Caraga region and in Mindanao. It is not impossible that Dinagat Islands will be recognized as No. 1 in tourism, in per capita expenditures, and others. These all will be sustained if all of us unite and work together for the progress of Dinagat Islands.)
Demerey reported some of the key achievements of his administration through the ‘Remedy’ development strategy. Under tourism promotion and enhancement, visitor arrivals in the province increased by 677 percent from 144,228 arrivals in 2022 to 1.121 million in December 2025, the highest growth rate in the country, with an estimated gross revenue of P545 million.
This milestone has been made possible through innovative strategies, promotion initiatives, linkages, partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders in a cheaper but effective and efficient ways such as the establishment of Del Carmen Siargao-Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands route, partnership with the Surigao City-Surigao del Norte-Dinagat Islands tourism hub, tapping local and national vloggers groups, increased of DOT -accredited travel and tours, installation of promotional televisions to all airports in Caraga region and maximizing social media and other platforms.
In agri-fishery, in the last four years, the province invested a total of P 147.4 million for the construction, procurement, and distribution of ram pumps, small water impounding projects, solar-driven irrigation projects, and other farm equipment and machinery to farmers associations.
For the last four years, 238 infrastructure projects amounting to P1.3 billion were implemented that delivered significant changes and impacts in the lives of the Dinagatnons, including the ongoing port development in San Jose to improve transportation, access, and connectivity between the province of Dinagat Islands and mainland Surigao City. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from Dinagat Islands PIO)